The Tampa Bay Times reported that officers have been trying to grow the force’s online following in recent weeks.

But the strategy backfired after they posted the photo of Marquis Porter, who had been arrested on suspicion of driving and drugs offences.

In the image, the 21-year-old is crying, while deputies hold chunks of his dreadlocks while standing behind him.

The Facebook page has since been deleted (Picture: Facebook/Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

The post described him as ‘sad criminal of the day’ and pointed out his tears.

One person wrote: ‘I understand posting pics of criminals to raise awareness about dangerous people, but this is just about humiliating and dehumanising someone, I don’t care who you are, you don’t deserve to be broadcast to the world at your lowest point for social media bigots to make fun of you.’